2023 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Late season reshuffle at the top
By Wesley Minke
QB. Florida. 9. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. AnthonyRichardson. 87
If any team in this draft class is in the position to reach for a QB or take a project pick at QB, it is the Carolina Panthers. They get a guy here that is built like a linebacker with the speed of a wide receiver. He has the tools to be far and away the best QB out of this draft class, but he is far too raw right now.
He has major accuracy issues and often holds the ball too long forcing sacks. He has great arm strength, and is super loose and limber, moves incredibly well for someone his size. If he pans out correctly, he will be one of the league’s best very quickly.
Pick Analysis. DL. player. 44. Scouting Report. Clemson. BryanBresee. 10
Here at this point in my mock draft, I am starting to look at guys that have just slipped in the draft, and we are found with Bryan Bresee. He is a physical, fast, and smart football player. He runs a 4.7 40-yard dash, while also benching 435 lbs.
While I think a WR could be in play here, I think the idea of Arthur Smith grabbing a big piece for a young defense is much more important, especially with how deep the WR class is this year. Bresee could easily be a top 5 pick, but teams up there have specific needs. Not the Atlanta Falcons, they need talent and some everywhere.
QuentinJohnston. 52. TCU. 11. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. WR
Wow, this offense continues to get scarier and scarier. Adding Quentin Johnston to a WR room that will now include Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, and Zay Jones. This offense will not have issues moving the ball on anyone, and the scary part is how young they are.
Being 6’4 215 lbs, running a 4.4 40-yard dash, with an elite catch radius, and an ability to be a game-breaker in the catch and run game while in space. He struggles with 50/50 balls, but he will get better at that and begin to take advantage of his size. He is going to be incredibly good, and incredibly quick.
Pick Analysis. WR. Ohio State. JaxonSmith-Njigba. 12. player. 10. Scouting Report
Like I said in my last mock draft if Houston has the opportunity to reunite their QB with his top college target they will do it. JSN was the best WR in college football last season, and the expectation is that when healthy he will be one of the best, if not the best, WRs from this class.
At 6’1 200 lbs, he is not going to wow you with size or speed, with a 4.48 40-yard dash. However, he is a master over the middle on intermediate routes and is the best route runner in this draft class. He is a great slot receiver, so it will be interesting to see how NFL teams will use him outside potentially.